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Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cyanotoxin that is cytotoxic to a wide variety of cells, particularly to the hepatocytes. In this study, the toxic effects of purified CYN were investigated in primary cultured hepatocytes of Neotropical fish Hoplias malabaricus. After isolation, attachment, and recovery for 72 h, the cells were exposed for 72 h to 0, 0.1, 1.0, 10, and 100 μg l of CYN. Then, cell viability and a set of oxidative stress biomarker responses were determined. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glutathione S-transferase activities were not affected by exposure to CYN. Concentration-dependent decrease of glutathione reductase activity occurred for most CYN-exposed groups, whereas non-protein thiol content increased only for the highest CYN concentration. Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and DNA damage levels were not altered, but reactive oxygen species levels increased in the cells exposed to the highest concentration of CYN. Cell viability decreased in all the groups exposed to CYN. Thus, CYN may cause a slight change in redox balance, but it is not the main cause of cell death in H. malabaricus hepatocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides the immunological benefits of colostrum consumption, this lacteal secretion has a great concentration of biological molecules that can affect gut physiology and fish healthy. This study evaluated the antioxidant potential in the gut of juvenile pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, and dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, fed twice a day with diets containing 0, 10 or 20% of lyophilized bovine colostrum (LBC). The whole medium and posterior intestine was collected after 30 or 60 experimental days and the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was determined as one international unit per milligram of protein, and the oxygen radical absorbance capacity as μM of equivalent Trolox per milligram of protein. Only the juvenile pacu were affected by the diet containing LBC (P < 0.05). The juvenile fed 10% LBC showed higher oxygen absorbance capacity than the juveniles fed 20% LBC (P < 0.05). Interaction between diet and period was observed to superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P < 0.05), juvenile pacu fed 0% LBC and 10% LBC did not change enzyme activity at 30 and 60 days, whereas juvenile fed 20% LBC showed higher value at 60 days compared to 30 days (P < 0.05). The present result reveal that the consumption of diet containing LBC improved SOD activity in the gut of juvenile pacu indicating a possible protective action of this lacteal secretion in an omnivorous fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied a multiscale approach to understand the patterns of longitudinal, lateral, and temporal variability in fish assemblage structure of a large floodplain river and explored their relationships with climatic seasonality, hydrological variability, and floodplain geomorphology. We studied the fish assemblage structure of 35 connected lakes along a 600-km section of the Paraná River over 5 y. Longitudinal changes in fish assemblage structure were associated with a latitudinal climatic gradient, whereas temporal changes were associated with climatic seasonality and hydrological variability. Longitudinal and seasonal changes in assemblage structure were probably based on different thermal preferences of species that migrate seasonally along the main river axis. Extraordinary floods in summer promoted downstream dispersal of several species, which increased similarity between downstream and upstream regions. Thermal seasonality of this subtropical system was a strong factor driving temporal changes in assemblage structure, and the effects of the hydrological regime largely depended on flood pulses coincident with periods of warmer temperatures. Fish assemblages varied secondarily along a lateral gradient represented by types of geomorphic units distributed in the floodplain. The geomorphic units generated patchy environmental heterogeneity at the landscape scale that resulted in discontinuous patterns of fish assemblage structure. Assemblage composition was more similar among lakes belonging to similar geomorphic units but situated at geographically distant regions than among lakes belonging to different geomorphic units situated in the same region. Therefore, patterns in fish assemblage variation at regional and landscape scales appear to be determined largely by the dispersal and selection of suitable habitats by fish across the hierarchy of spatial and temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater fish curimba ( Prochilodus argenteus) is an endemic species of the São Francisco River basin, with great aquaculture potential. The construction of several hydroelectric power dams along the river, and the pulsed releases of water from these dams altered and degraded the native fish habitats, which led to the development of a hatchery-reared fingerling restocking program. A comprehensive genetic baseline evaluation of the indigenous populations of curimba and of a hatchery stock was done using microsatellite markers. Pairwise F values, Bayesian analysis and the number of migrants per generation were used to illustrate the genetic structure of the curimba populations along almost 3000 km of the river, suggesting the existence of three units of conservation: one in the Upper, a second in the Middle and a third including part of the Middle, Submiddle and Lower stretches. We have analyzed the genetic contribution of hatchery stock releases in two stretches of the river using individual admixture coefficients; and the results showed that admixture makes a negligible contribution to indigenous recruitment. We discussed about supplementation programs for this river from the perspective of three units of conservation and the risks associated with using domesticated fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Zungaro contains some of the largest catfish in South America. Two valid species are currently recognized: Zungaro jahu, inhabiting the Paraná and Paraguay basins, and Zungaro zungaro, occurring in the Amazonas and Orinoco basins. Analysing Zungaro specimens from the Amazonas, Orinoco, Paraguay and Paraná basins, based on the sequencing of COI and D-loop, we found at least three MOTUs, indicating the existence of hidden diversity within this fish group. Considering the ecological and economic values of this fish, our results are surely welcomed for its conservation, disclosing new findings on its diversity and pointing out the necessity for a detailed taxonomic revision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we compared post-thaw quality of P. lineatus sperm frozen shortly after collection, with sperm frozen after dilution and transportation, and up to 6 h from collection. From each sperm sample (n = 10 males) five aliquots were taken. One aliquot was diluted in the freezing medium (1 sperm:8 glucose:1 methyl glycol) and frozen -20 min after collection in the field (control), while the other four aliquots were transported to the laboratory where freezing took place 3 or 6 h after collection. From the transported aliquots, two were diluted 1:4 in glucose solution before transportation (diluted samples), while the other two were kept undiluted until freezing (undiluted samples). Thus the five treatments were: control, undiluted-3h, diluted-3h, undiluted-6h and diluted-6h. Post-thaw sperm was evaluated for membrane integrity, motility rate and velocities (curvilinear = VCL; average path = VAP; straight line = VSL). Post-thaw membrane integrity did not differ among the five treatments (48-60% intact sperm). Sperm motility rate was similar (P > 0.05) between control (64%) and undiluted samples (60-62%) and higher (P < 0.05) than that in diluted samples (35-45%), regardless the time after collection when freezing took place. Velocities were higher in control and in undiluted-3 h samples (VCL of 254-265 μm/s, VAP of 219-244 μm/s and VSL of 134-147 μm/s) than in diluted samples or samples frozen 6 h after collection. P. lineatus sperm can be transported/shipped to the laboratory without decreasing its suitability for cryopreservation. Sperm should be kept undiluted during storage and be frozen within 3 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypostomus johnii (Steindachner) was described from the rio Parnaíba basin in the state of Piauí and the rio São Francisco basin in the state of Bahia. Despite the good quality of the original description of H. johnii, it does not currently allow its distinction from congeners. Thus, H. johnii is redescribed based on the analysis of the types and several recently collected specimens. Recent collecting efforts of the rios Parnaíba and São Francisco basins resulted in specimens only being found in the rio Parnaíba basin. This raises doubts about whether H. johnii occurs in the rio São Francisco basin. The species is distinguished from its congeners by having a high number of teeth on the premaxilla and dentary (between 60-115); small to moderate-sized dark spots with a light background; absence of keels on flanks; and abdominal plates more evident on laterals. A lectotype of H. johnii is designated herein and H. eptingi is considered a junior synonym of H. johnii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine fresh and frozen sperm quality evaluated over two spawning seasons (2013–2014; 2014–2015) in Prochilodus lineatus and Brycon orbignyanus. The spawning seasons were divided into two sampling periods: November to December and January to February. Males were hand-stripped after carp pituitary treatment. Fresh sperm motility rate, velocities (curvilinear = VCL; straight-line = VSL; average path = VAP), and the beat cross frequency (BCF) were determined using a Computer-Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA). Sperm of each species was frozen using methyl glycol as cryoprotectant and a glucose solution for P. lineatus or a NaCl solution for B. orbignyanus as extender. Diluted sperm was loaded into 0.25 mL straws, frozen in a nitrogen vapor vessel (dry shipper) and stored in a liquid nitrogen vessel. Six months later, straws were thawed in a water bath at 60 °C for 3 s and sperm quality was determined, as described for fresh sperm. No significant difference was observed for any of the fresh and frozen sperm features between the two spawning seasons or the two sampling periods in P. lineatus and in B. orbignyanus. Motility rate and velocities, but not BCF, was always higher in fresh sperm when compared with frozen sperm. Comparing both species, higher motility in frozen sperm and higher VCL and VAP in both fresh and frozen sperm were observed for P. lineatus , while higher VSL in fresh sperm and higher BCF in both fresh and frozen sperm were observed for B. orbignyanus. Sperm quality and its freezing ability of both species were sustained over the spawning season and thus fish farmers can reproduce these species and freeze their sperm in any time throughout the spawning season. P. lineatus sperm is more resistant to the cryopreservation process than B. orbignyanus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anchovies of the genus Lycengraulis are the product of an evolutionary transition from a marine to freshwater environment that occurred in South America during the Miocene epoch. Lycengraulis grossidens originated from freshwater lineages and is currently distributed in estuaries and coastal zones. Nevertheless, based on otolith chemistry, there are landlocked individuals in the Uruguay River. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spatiotemporal scenario by which these landlocked individuals reached their current distribution: whether through a northto- south continental route based on the connection between basins or from the marine environment. To this end, a fragment of the mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region was analysed from individuals collected along freshwater, estuarine and marine environments. We found a significant genetic differentiation between freshwater and coastal (estuarine and marine) populations. Larger haplotype diversities and female effective population size values were found in the coastal population. Nevertheless, the outgroup rooting positioned some Uruguay River haplotypes as hypothetical ancestors in the directed network and as early offshoots in the phylogeny, suggesting the landlocked population as an ancestral lineage. Therefore, the phylogenetic history and biogeography are consistent with a north-to-south continental colonisation route putatively associated with ancient connections between the Amazon and Parana basins followed by new evolutionary transitions to the coastal region associated with Quaternary sea level oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Doradidae (Siluriformes) is an important group of fishes endemic to freshwater ecosystems in South America. Some cytogenetic studies have been conducted focused on the group; however, there are no reports on the occurrence of B chromosomes for the family. In this paper the chromosomal characteristics of Platydoras armatulus (Valenciennes, 1840), Pterodoras granulosus (Valenciennes, 1821) and Ossancora punctata (Kner, 1855) were investigated through classical cytogenetics approaches. The conventional staining reveals 2n=58 in Platydoras armatulus and Pterodoras granulosus, however with distinct karyotypic formulae, possibly originated by pericentric inversions. In Ossancora punctata a derivate karyotype was described with 2n=66 and predominance of acrocentric chromosomes. The C banding pattern was resolutive in discriminating the three species, being considered an important cytotaxonomic marker. All species showed B chromosomes totally heterochromatic with non-Mendelian segregation during meiosis and low frequencies in mitotic cells. The probably origin of these additional elements was through fragmentations of chromosomes of the standard complement, which occurred recently and independently in these three species. The diploid number observed in O. punctata is an evidence of centric fusions and up to the moment it is the highest diploid number reported for Doradidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baited remote underwater video (BRUV) systems are being used in marine ecosystems as a nonextractive, cost-effective method of assessing the fish fauna with minimal species bias. This technique has had limited applications in freshwater ecosystems. Rheophilic fish assemblages of the Xingu River, a clearwater Amazonian river in Northern Brazil, were sampled with BRUV systems. Two-hour video recordings were collected using five different bait treatments (sardine, croaker, cat food, sweet corn, and no bait) in two lotic habitat categories (rocky and sandy bottoms). A total of 2460 fish from 56 taxa and 13 families were recorded from the 80 BRUV deployments. Significantly different fish assemblages, species richness, and abundance were detected between habitat types and among treatments. Our results suggest that the use of crushed sardines as a standardized bait optimizes the sampling recording the highest species richness, relative abundance, and number of exclusive species of rheophilic fish in clearwater Amazonian rivers. The data also highlight the unique fish diversity of the Xingu River prior to the expected large-scale environmental degradation resulting from the forthcoming operation of the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Parotocinclus is described from three small tributaries of the rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. he new species can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting the following characters: (1) a triangular dark blotch at the anterior base of the dorsal in, (2) the absence of an adipose in but presence of one small platelet at typical adipose-in region, (3) the abdomen completely covered by dermal plates, (4) a pectoral girdle totally exposed, (5) a single series of bicuspid teeth, and (6) the higher number of bicuspid premaxillary and dentary teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is believed that different genetic populations of migratory fishes can co-exist in a single hydrographic system. Although different populations may occupy and explore the river together, they segregate during the spawning season and consequently the population genetic structuring is maintained. Genetic variation of a Brycon hilarii spawning school and samples from different collection sites in the Miranda River basin were surveyed using seven microsatellites. Population structuring was revealed by a significant differentiation of the spawning school related to the supposed local populations. The genetic differentiation detected may be supported by behavior during the reproductive season that promotes the maintenance of the genetic integrity of different populations. These data may contribute toward the understanding of the behavior and biology of these fish as well as fishery management and species conservation programs.Se ha documentado que diferentes poblaciones genéticas de peces migratorios pueden coexistir en un único sistema hidrográfico. Diferentes poblaciones pueden ocupar y explorar el río juntas, pero se segregan durante la temporada de desove y consecuentemente la estructuración genética poblacional se mantiene. La diversidad genética de un cardumen reproductivo de Brycon hilarii y muestras de diferentes sitios en la cuenca del Río Miranda fueron analizadas mediante siete microsatélites. La estructura poblacional fue revelada por una diferenciación genética significativa del cardumen reproductivo con las muestras de las poblaciones locales. La diferenciación genética detectada puede ser resultado de un probable comportamiento durante la temporada reproductiva, que promueve el mantenimiento de la integridad genética de las diferentes poblaciones. Estos datos pueden contribuir a la comprensión del comportamiento y biología de estos peces, así como amparar programas de gestión de la pesca y conservación de las especies.

Avaliou-se neste estudo o desempenho de alevinos de pintado puros Pseudoplatystoma corruscans e híbridos em treinamento alimentar. O coeficiente intestinal (CI = comprimento do intestino/comprimento total do animal) foi relacionado à massa e ao volume e comparado por meio de análise de variância multivariada e de componentes principais. Conforme a rotina da estação de piscicultura, a duração do condicionamento alimentar é de aproximadamente 60 dias, quando os animais são condicionados a alimentação com ração seca extrusada durante a fase clara do dia. Foram coletados cerca de 100 animais por grupo nas etapas inicial, intermediária e final. No início, os animais receberam coração bovino triturado e gradativamente foi adicionada ração moída até a aceitação de ração seca extrusada ao final. Os crescimentos em extensão e volume corporais dependeram da velocidade de crescimento intestinal. O intestino e a velocidade de adaptação do intestino são maiores nos animais híbridos, o que está associado ao melhor desempenho desses animais.The performance of pure and hybrid "pintado" Pseudoplatystoma hatchlings at feed training was evaluated. The intestinal coefficient (IC = length of the intestine/total fish lenght) was related to volume and mass and compared by means of analysis of multivariate variance and main components. According to the fish farming station routine, the training lasts about 60 days, when animals are conditioned to feeding on floating dried feed during daylight. Approximately one hundred animals per group were collected in the initial, intermediate and final phases. At the beginning, fish were fed ground bovine heart, and then dried feed was gradually added until eventual acceptance of dried floating feed. Length and volume growth depended on the speed of intestinal growth. The intestine and the time of adaptation of the intestines are longer in hybrid animals, which is linked to the better development of these animals.

Brycon henni es una especie nativa de la cuenca del río Magdalena, Colombia, donde es fuertemente explotada, por lo cual en este trabajo se estudió la variabilidad genética y estructura poblacional en individuos provenientes de la cuenca media de los ríos Nare y Guatapé, Antioquia. Se recolectaron 195 ejemplares y se les extrajo ADN genómico total del tejido muscular y/o sanguíneo. Se evaluaron 14 cebadores para la técnica RAPD (Random Amplifyed Polimorphic DNA), siendo cuatro de ellos polimórficos, los cuales generaron 66 fragmentos diferentes (63% polimorfismo). Por medio de un análisis de varianza molecular (AMOVA), se determinó la estructuración poblacional para todos los sitios evaluados y la cuenca del río Nare ( ΦST =0.297 y ΦST =0.163, respectivamente). Las distancias genéticas de Nei mostraron que todas las poblaciones diferían entre sí y que la mayor diferenciación genética se dio para las poblaciones del río Guatapé y la quebrada El Cardal. Un test de Mantel mostró correlación entre las distancias genéticas y geográficas (ambas cuencas, r=0.431; cuenca del río Nare, r=0.377). Esto sugiere aislamiento por distancia y separación de grupos genéticos producidos por los embalses sobre los ríos Nare y Guatapé, lo cual puede tener implicaciones relevantes en la conservación de la variabilidad genética de las poblaciones naturales de esta especie en el oriente antioqueño.Genetic variability of Brycon henni (Characiformes: Characidae) in the middle basin of Nare and Guatapé rivers, Magdalena River system, Colombia. Brycon henni is a native species in Magdalena´s River basin, and because of its cultural and economic importance, is strongly overexploited. This study aimed to describe the genetic variability and population structure of this species from Nare and Guatapé rivers basins. A total of 195 individuals were collected and DNA extractions were obtained from muscle and blood tissue. Fourteen primers were evaluated with the RAPD technique, being four of them polymorphic, and produced 66 different fragments (63% polymorphism). Besides, using the molecular variance (AMOVA) analysis, the population structure was described for all sites ( ΦST=0.297, ΦST=0.163; Nare and Guatapé river basins, respectively), and suggested the importance of the migratory behaviour of the species in the genetic differentiation. Genetic distances among sampled sites showed that most of the genetic differentiation occurred between sites Guatapé and El Cardal with respect to the others. A Mantel Test demonstrated a correlation between genetic and geographic distances (r=0.431 both of the basins evaluated; r=0.377, Nare river middle basin), and suggested isolation by distance. The outcomes obtained in this study have valuable implications in species conservation and the genetic variability of natural populations of B. henni, and should be complemented with morphological analyses. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 269-282. Epub 2011 March 01.

In this work, we analyzed the karyotypes of five species. Hypostomus cf. heraldoi, from the Mogi-Guaçu River, had 2n = 72 chromosomes, with a nucleolar organizer region (NOR) in one chromosomal pair. Hypostomus regani, from the Mogi-Guaçu River had 2n = 72 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus sp., from the Mogi-Guaçu River basin, had 2n = 68 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus aff. agna, from Cavalo Stream, had 2n = 74 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus cf. topavae, from Carrapato Stream, had 2n = 80 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus species showed marked diversity in the karyotypic formula, which suggested the occurrence of several Robertsonian rearrangements and pericentric inversions during the evolutionary history of this genus. This hypothesis was supported by the occurrence of a large number of uniarmed chromosomes and multiple NORs in a terminal position in most species and may be a derived condition in the Loricariidae.

A preliminary qualitative analysis of genetic variability status in Astyanax fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819) from upper Tibagi River headwaters and Vila Velha State Park (VVSP) was carried out by enzymatic digestion (RFLP) of D-Loop region from mtDNA. The results showed that Tibagi and VVSP populations were genetically different.Uma análise qualitativa da variabilidade genética em Astyanax fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819) do alto Rio Tibagi e Parque Estadual de Vila Velha (PEVV) foi conduzida por digestão enzimática (RFLP) da região D-Loop do mtDNA. Os resultados evidenciaram que essas populações são geneticamente diferentes.

Nine new species of Phenacogaster Eigenmann, 1907 are described: Phenacogaster capitulatus sp. nov. from the Neshuya River system, Ucayali River basin; Phenacogaster maculoblongus sp. nov. from the upper Cuyuni River, and tributaries of the lower Orinoco River; Phenacogaster napoatilis sp. nov. from the Napo River system, upper Amazon River basin; Phenacogaster ojitatus sp. nov. from the Xingu River system; Phenacogaster prolatus sp. nov. from the Orinoco River, canal Casiquiare and upper and middle Negro River; Phenacogaster retropinnus sp. nov. from the Negro, Madeira and Xingu river systems; Phenacogaster simulatus sp. nov. from the Potaro River, Essequibo drainage; Phenacogaster wayampi sp. nov. from the Oiapoque River, and Phenacogaster wayana sp. nov. from the Corantijn (Suriname), Maroni, Mana, Sinnamary and Approuague rivers (French Guiana). The geographic distribution of P. megalostictus, previously recorded for the Negro River, Amazon River system, is restricted to the Essequibo River system, Guiana. The distribution of P. carteri, previously known only from the type-locality (Cuyuni River, Guyana), is extended to the lower Orinoco River. The reduction of the latero-sensory canal, mentioned in the literature as an autapomorphy for P. tegatus was observed in three additional species of Phenacogaster. The posterior humeral spot, found only in P. tegatus, is herein considered autapomorphic for the species. Diagnoses are given for previously described species based on the analysis of type material and additional specimens, and a key to the species of the genus is provided.

Five new fish species of the genus Hemibrycon are described from the Río Magdalena basin, Colombia, using morphometric, meristic and osteological characters. Hemibrycon paez (n=40) differs in number of lateral line scales (39 to 42 vs. 43 to 54), by the number of scales between lateral line and anal-fin origin (6 to 7 vs. 4 to 5) and between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin (6 to 7 vs. 8); H. quindos (n=66) distinguished from its congeners by one autopomorphy: Males with cartilaginous protuberance, rounded on the anal fin ray branched, along all rays (vs. cartilaginous protuberance not present on anal-fin rays in males), by the maxilla without a fold on its anterior end (vs. maxilla with folding only at posterior end), by the number of pored scales in the lateral line (35 to 40 vs. 40 to 46); H. raqueliae (n=117) distinguished by a widened first tooth on the maxilla with the remaining teeth decreasing sharply in size (vs. first tooth of maxilla slender, remaining teeth gradually diminishing), by the first maxilla tooth pentacuspid and wider than the others (vs. first tooth on maxilla unicuspid or tricuspid and of same size as the others); H. virolinica (n=34) distinguished by the posterior end of the extrascapular spine surpassing the postemporal (vs. posterior end of extrascapular not exceeding postemporal spine), by having the posterior end of the first proximal pteryigiophores of dorsal fin of the same size as the anterior edge (vs. the posterior end of the first proximal pteryigiophores of dorsal fin more elongated than the anterior edge); and H. yacopiae (n=78) is distinguished by the following autopomorphic characters: first laterosensorial infraorbitals canal in contact with the posterior end of antorbital (vs. laterosensorial canal not reaching posterior end of antorbital), by the tip of the supraoccipital spine widened (vs. supraoccipital spine acute), by the posterior end of ectopterygoids failing to come in contact with the quadrate bone (vs. in contact); by the posterior edge of palatine more widened than the anterior edge of ectopterygoids (vs. posterior edge of the palatine approximately the same size, except for H. paez). Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (1): 339-356. Epub 2010 March 01.Cinco nuevas especies son descritas para la cuenca del Río Magdalena, Colombia, con base en caracteres morfométricos, merísticos y osteológicos. Hemibrycon paez se distingue por el número de escamas en la línea lateral (39 a 42 vs. 43 a 54), entre la línea lateral y el origen de la aleta anal (6 a 7 vs. 4 a 5), y entre la línea lateral y el origen de la aleta dorsal (6 a 7 vs. 8). H. quindos se distingue por una autopomorfia: machos con protuberancias cartilaginosas redondeadas sobre los radios ramificados de la aleta anal, sobre toda su extensión (vs. no presentes en los radios de las aletas anal en machos), la maxila que no posee un plegamiento en su extremo posterior (vs. maxilar con doblamiento en su extremo posterior), por el número de escamas con poros en la línea lateral (35 a 40 vs. 40 a 46). H. raqueliae, se distingue por presentar el primer diente del maxilar ensanchado al comparar con los demás dientes que disminuye abruptamente en tamaño (vs. Primer diente del maxilar delgado, los demás dientes disminuyen gradualmente), por presentar el primer diente de la maxila pentacúspide y más ancho que los demás (vs. primer diente sobre la maxila uni o tricúspide y de igual tamaño que los otros. H. virolinica se distingue por poseer en el extremo posterior del extraescapular una espina que sobre pasa el postemporal (vs. extremo posterior del extrascapular no sobre pasa la espina del postemporal), por tener el extremo posterior del primer pterigióforo proximal de la aleta dorsal del mismo tamaño que el borde anterior (vs. el extremo posterior del primer pterigióforo proximal de la aleta dorsal mas alargado que el borde anterior). H. yacopiae se diferencia por una autopomorfia: el canal laterosensorial sobre primer infraorbital en contacto con el extremo posterior del antorbital (vs. el canal laterosensorial no alcanza el extremo posterior del antorbital), por el extremo de la espina supraoccipital ancha (vs. espina supraoccipital aguda), por el extremo posterior del ectopterigoide no en contacto con el cuadrado (vs. en contacto), por el borde posterior del palatino más ancho que el borde anterior del ectopterigoide (vs. borde posterior del palatino aproximadamente del mismo tamaño).

O presente experimento avaliou o desempenho e sobrevivência de juvenis de matrinxã Brycon orthotaenia cultivados em tanques-rede de 4 m3, por 197 dias, em três densidades de estocagem: 20, 40 e 60 peixes m-3. Foram utilizados exemplares com 19,9 ± 0,3 cm de comprimento total e 90,0 ± 0,15 g de peso. Os animais foram alimentados com ração extrusada contendo 36% de proteína bruta. O comprimento total e o peso foram superiores (p < 0,05) na densidade de 20 peixes m-3. Valores intermediários e inferiores foram registrados para a densidade de 40 e 60 peixes m-3, respectivamente. A sobrevivência e o Fator de condição de Fulton foram semelhantes (p > 0,05) entre as diferentes densidades; porém, a biomassa produzida foi superior (p < 0,05) para as densidades de 40 e 60 peixes m-3. O aumento da densidade de estocagem também resultou em crescimento mais homogêneo dos animais. Para juvenis de B. orthotaenia, o aumento na densidade de estocagem leva a maior biomassa final, peixes mais homogêneos, menor crescimento, mas não tem efeito na sobrevivência.This experiment evaluated the development and survival of matrinxã Brycon orthotaenia juveniles reared during a 197-day experiment, in a 4 m3 floating cage, in three stocking densities: 20, 40 and 60 fish m-3. Juveniles with 19.9 ± 0.3 cm of total length and 90.0 ± 0.15 g of weight were used. The animals were fed with floating pellets (commercial diet with 36% crude protein). The total length, and weight were higher (p < 0.05) in the density of 20 fish m-3. The density of 40 and 60 fish m-3 showed intermediary and low values, respectively. Survival and Fulton condition factor were similar (p > 0.05) among the different densities; however, the produced biomass was higher (p < 0.05) in densities of 40 and 60 fish m-3. The increased stocking density showed a more homogeneous growth. The increase in stocking density for B. orthotaenia juveniles presented a higher biomass, homogeneity of fishes, lesser growth, but had no effect in survival.

Characidae is one of the largest fish families of the Neotropical region, and presenting a pronounced morphological variability, certainly does not constitute a monophyletic group. The cytogenetical data also show a large chromosomal variation and can provide important information for a better understanding of the relationships between the species of this group. 18S and 5S rDNA probes were used in the present study for the chromosomal mapping in different Characidae species from the São Francisco River (Astyanax lacustris, Astyanax scabripinnis, Hasemania nana, Piabina argentea, Orthospinus franciscensis, Serrapinnus heterodon, Serrapinnus piaba and Myleus micans) and Alto Paraná (Astyanax altiparanae) basins. Species with a single pair of chromosomes bearing the nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) were identified, as well as species with multiple NORs, up to a maximum of seven 18S rDNA sites. The number of 5S rDNA site was also not constant, varying from two to eight. The mapping of the ribosomal genes was useful for the characterization and differentiation of the analyzed species.

Loricariidae (Siluriformes) comprises ∼1026 species of neotropical fish, being considered the most diverse among the Siluriformes. Studies on repetitive DNA sequences have provided important data on the evolution of the genomes of members of this family, especially of the Hypostominae subfamily. In this study, the chromosomal mapping of the histone multigene family and U2 snRNA was performed in two species belonging to the Hypancistrus genus, Hypancistrus sp. "pão" (2n = 52, 22m + 18sm +12st) and Hypancistrus zebra (2n = 52, 16m + 20sm +16st). The presence of dispersed signals of histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 in the karyotype of both species, with each sequence displaying a varied level of accumulation and dispersion of these sequences between them was observed; in addition, U2 snDNA probe only showed positive results in H. zebra , which present this multigene in the terminal region of three chromosomal pairs. The obtained results resemble data already analyzed in the literature, in which the action of transposable elements interfere in the organization of these multigene families, in addition to other evolutionary processes that shape the evolution of the genome, such as circular or ectopic recombination. This study also shows that the dispersion of the multigene histone family is quite complex, and from this, these data serve as a point of discussion for the evolutionary processes that occur in the Hypancistrus karyotype.

• In the tambaqui cyp19a1a promoter, all SF-1 binding sites show more than 10% of dissimilarity to the consensus sequence. • Tambaqui displays unconventional transcription levels of cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b during sex differentiation and adult stages. • Another level of flexibility on the sex-differentiation pathway of teleosts is proposed. The genes coding for Cytochrome P450 aromatase (cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b) and estrogen (E 2) receptors (esr1 , esr2a and esr2b) play a conserved role in ovarian differentiation and development among teleosts. Classically, the "gonad form" of aromatase, coded by the cyp19a1a , is responsible for the ovarian differentiation in genetic females via ligation and activation of the Esr, which mediates the endocrine and exocrine signaling to allow or block the establishment of the feminine phenotype. However, in neotropical species, studies on the molecular and endocrine processes involved in gonad differentiation as well as on the effects of sex modulators are recent and scarce. In this study, we combined in silico analysis, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and quantification of E 2 plasma levels of differentiating tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) to unveil the roles of the paralogs cypa19a1a and cyp19a1b during sex differentiation. Although the synteny of each gene is very conserved among characids, the genomic environment displays striking differences in comparison to model teleost species, with many rearrangements in cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b adjacencies and transposable element traces in both regulatory regions. The high dissimilarity (DI) of SF-1 binding motifs in cyp19a1a (DI = 10.06 to 14.90 %) and cyp19a1b (DI = 8.41 to 13.50 %) regulatory region, respectively, may reflect in an alternative pathway in tambaqui. Indeed, while low transcription of cyp19a1a was detected prior to sex differentiation, the expression of cyp19a1b and esr2a presented a large variation at this phase, which could be associated with sex-specific differential expression. Histological analysis revealed that anti-estradiol treatments did not affect gonadal sex ratios, although Fadrozole (50 mg kg−1 of food) reduced E 2 plasma levels (p < 0,005) as well cyp19a1a transcription; and tamoxifen (200 mg kg−1 of food) down regulated both cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b but did not influence E 2 levels. Altogether, our results bring into light new insights about the evolutionary fate of cyp19a1 paralogs in neotropical fish, which may have generated uncommon roles for the gonadal and brain forms of cyp19a1 genes and the unexpected lack of effect of endocrine disruptors on tambaqui sexual differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]